The Story⚡
Ayo Makun’s latest box office outing, Almajiri, fails to earn audience attraction.
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Almajiri was released to cinemas across the country on the 23rd of June under Corporate World Entertainment. The action crime drama focuses on the brutal realities faced by children in the northern region of Nigeria. Most of these children end up as victims of human trafficking, child labour, and child slavery.
The movie was written by Smart Canrad and directed by Toka McBaror. It was produced and executive produced by Ayo Makun. The film stars Alex Ekubo, Asabe Madaki, Maryam Waziri, Segun Arinze, Ali Nuhu, Sanni Danja, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Jide Kosoko, Seyi Law, Annie Macaulay, Bolanle Ninalowo, and Funky Mallam.
Almajiri had a low opening weekend, grossing only N5.74 million. For its first week, it made a total of N10.35 million. That week, the was the fourth film at the cinema, behind The Flash, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
In its second weekend, the movie realized N3.21 million and made N4.98 million that week, pushing its cume to N15.45 million. It was the seventh film at the box office that week. On the third weekend, it made only N762,250 thousand and earned N1.35 million for the entire week. That week, its total earning rose to N16.82 million. It fell to number eleven.
While it is easy to attribute this low show of love for an Ayo Makun title, the poor reception can also be tied to the competition it faced at the box office. Currently, it has titles like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Big Love, and others to struggle with.
Top 5
5. Insidious: The Red Door
In 60 locations, the title opened with N10.86 million. It is distributed by FilmOne.
4. Big Love
In its second week, the romance title made N10.97 million, raising its gross total to N36.66 million. It showed in 58 locations. It is also distributed by FilmOne.
3. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Having shown in 52 locations across the country, the film made N11.05 million in its fifth week. Its cume is now at N132.06 million.
2. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
The title was in its second week. In 60 locations, it made N11.25 million that week, with its cume at N34.96 million.
1. Love, Lust, and Other Things
This newly launched romantic drama at the cinema earned the highest last week with N15.04 million. The film launched in 62 locations and stars Ramsey Nouah, Osas Ighodaro, Kunle Remi, Wale Ojo, and others. It is directed by Kayode Kasum, the director of Soole (2021) and Obara’M (2022).
Tangent
Ayo Makun, one of the executive producers of Almajiri, has executive produced several titles that turned out to be box office hits. Some of these titles include 30 Days in Atlanta (2014), A Trip to Jamaica (2016), 10 Days in Sun City (2017), Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018), Merry Men 2: Another Mission (2018), and Christmas in Miami (2021). His titles are known for wide acceptance upon their release. This may be because Ayo Makun’s films are usually comedy titles.
After its theatrical release in 2021, Christmas in Miami made a sum of N265.58 million. Also, Merry Men 1 made N235.62 million, while Merry Men 2 grossed N234.50 million.
With the pace at which Almajiri is currently going, it might turn out to be Ayo Makun’s poorest box office outing.
Competition Ahead
The future of Almajiri at the box office does not look so promising, and it appears that the title might bow out of cinemas very soon. With competition ahead, it can be predicted that the days ahead for the movie might be tough.
Currently, it is opposed by titles like Love, Lust, and Other Things, Big Love, and others. Similarly, Orisa, an epic Yoruba title by Odunlade Adekola will debut on the 21st of July. With the performance of King of Thieves by Anthill Studios and Euphoria 360, it cannot be said that epic Yoruba titles can be underestimated.
Hotel Labamba, directed by Biodun Stephen, will also debut on the 28th of this month. The comedy crime movie will star Lateef Adedimeji, Bimbo Ademoye, and others. Based on the forthcoming titles, the next few weeks look rough for Almajiri.
Similar Gauging
As an action drama film, Almajiri shares similarities with The Trade, written and directed by Jadesola Osiberu and released to the cinemas on the 13th of January, 2023. The film stars Blossom Chukwujekwu, Rita Dominic, Nengi Adoki, Chiwetalu Agu, Ali Nuhu, Stan Nze, and others.
In the first weekend of the title, it made N4.89 million and had a seven-day opening of N7.25 million. In its second week, it made N5.49 million, and by that time, it had made a total of N12.74 million. In its third week, it had barely made N15 million in total. With N15.50 million, it could not cross the N20 million bar in three weeks.
The title later exited the cinema with just N18.79 million.
In Summary
With the reception of Almajiri by the audience, does it mean that Ayo Makun should stay with his comedy signature? Though nothing is known about whether the title will head to any streamer after its theatrical exhibition, does it stand the chance of finding its audience on any streaming platform?
